The nation observes the Martyred Intellectuals Day today (Saturday) to commemorate the intellectuals killed by Pakistan occupation forces and their local collaborators at the fag-end of the Liberation War in 1971.
This day in 1971, the country's renowned academics, doctors, engineers, journalists, artists, teachers and other eminent personalities were dragged out of their homes, blindfolded and taken to unknown places and then brutally tortured and murdered, reports UNB.
Their bodies were later dumped at Rayerbazar, Mirpur and some other killing fields in Dhaka.
Sensing an imminent defeat, the Pakistani forces and their local collaborators like Al-Badr, Al-Shams and Razakar committed the mass murders aiming to annihilate the country's intelligentsia and cripple the emerging Bangladesh intellectually.
Among the martyred intellectuals are Prof Munier Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya, Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.
The interim government has chalked out elaborate programmes to commemorate the December-14th tragedy.
Besides, the family members of the martyred intellectuals and freedom fighters will pay homage to the martyred intellectuals marking the day.
The President and the Chief Adviser issued separate messages marking the day.
The President in a message said, "I call upon all to play an effective role from their respective positions to build a new Bangladesh, inspired by the spirit of non-discrimination."
In his message, Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus said that the interim government, formed through the mass uprising, is committed to building a developed, prosperous, and well-governed Bangladesh.
He also called on everyone to unite, resist any conspiracy by anti-liberation forces, and fulfill their responsibilities from their respective positions.
Leaders and activists of different political and social organisations will also pay homage to the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard.
Special doa and munajat will be offered at mosques, temples and churches for the martyrs.
Bangladesh Television and private television channels will broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Martyred Intellectuals Day today
FE Team | Published: December 14, 2024 00:16:59
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